Hawaii About This Page:

[MyRapunzal]

For some reason DH said to me a few weeks ago that instead of heading to another Caribbean island for our 2nd anniversary next summer we should go to HAWAII! This is a place I have always ALWAYS wanted to go but we couldn't really afford it for a honeymoon.

In any case, I dont know where to start! How do I pick an island?? Where do most people go? I want to see volcanoes and pineapple plantations and swim with sea turtles and see and here authentic polynesian stories and places... lol... I want to do EVERYTHING!

[dmpyron]

How many days? 7 or less I'd go with one island. The best thing that probably satisfys all of your wants is Maui. If you are going to be there 10 days or so I'd recommend a couple of days on Oahu and then hop over to Maui.

Island hopping doesn't usually work for less than 8 days since you have to give up at least one and probably two days for travel.

We personally stay mostly on the Big Island in Kona, although we also enjoy Maui quite a bit.

You may have trouble swimming with sea turtles as they are all protected and all "interactions" have to be initiated by them.

To me, the best choice would be 10 days, "3" on Oahu, staying in the Waikiki area and the remainder on Maui, probably in the Ka'anapali area.

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by dmpyron

How many days? 7 or less I'd go with one island. The best thing that probably satisfys all of your wants is Maui. If you are going to be there 10 days or so I'd recommend a couple of days on Oahu and then hop over to Maui.

Island hopping doesn't usually work for less than 8 days since you have to give up at least one and probably two days for travel.

We personally stay mostly on the Big Island in Kona, although we also enjoy Maui quite a bit.

You may have trouble swimming with sea turtles as they are all protected and all "interactions" have to be initiated by them.

To me, the best choice would be 10 days, "3" on Oahu, staying in the Waikiki area and the remainder on Maui, probably in the Ka'anapali area.

Thanks! I think you read my mind! I am also thinking Maui would be up our alley! I like that we can rent a car and do a lot of touring on our own. And that we could take the ferry to Moloka'i or Lana'i for the day. And I think they are on the Ka'anapali side of the island as well. I think we may save Oahu for another trip. I already know I will love it there and want to return someday and it will surely be after Aulani opens... and since that is on Oahu its just another excuse to return! lol!

[dmpyron]

I've been going to Hawai'i since before I was born (which technically makes me kahamani'a

The ferries to Lani and Molokai leave from Lahaina, about 10 minutes south of Ka'anapali. Warning: the morning ride over is usually pretty tame, but once the trades start blowing, the chop comes up very fast. For the same reason, if you are going to go snorkeling at Molokini (recommended) go out in the morning boat. Even better, drive down to Kihei and go out from there. The dive operator we go with leaves the boat ramp at around 6:45. AM! But on most day's we're back by noon or 1:30. Yeah, it's about an hour drive down (we stay in a condo, usually in the Kahana area a little bit further up the road) which means we leave at 5:30ish, but we are usually back in our room by around 3 or 3:30. If you're a diver, it's what's known as "asymptomatic DCI". If you're not, the main complaint is total exhaustion.

Suggestions for Maui: Ioa Needle, the "Road to Hana" (PM me for some hints on this), Hale'akala (maybe for sunrise if you do it your first day or two, before your clock has reset), some of the many artist communities (we like Makawao), the snorkeling at Molo (of course), a day in Lahaina (probably more), maybe a trip on the Atlantis submarine, a luau at Old Lahaina, a couple of hours at the Maui Ocean Center, if you're a computer geek, a trip to the Maui Supercomputing Center (not really, my Top Secret wasn't enough to get me in ), if you have the money (anywhere from $110 to $300 per person) for a helicopter tour.

When you land, grab all of the little booklets with names like "Maui Today" and "Maui Gold". These are "activities guides" and have many listings. But be prepared to be confused and overwhelmed. Almost every street corner has an "activities desk" with seemingly the same tour at different prices.

If you'll be there in May, be sure to check out the Festival of the Canoes. Crews from around the Pacific compete to build canoes (outriggers for the most part) from scratch and then race them. The best "build" is usually from Somoa.

What not to do. Bike ride down Hala'akela. I found out where Maui Memorial Medical Center is and that they see about three injuries a week and the ER nurse told me that there are probably twice that number that don't seek treatment. Wrecked my last trip, I spent 9 of our 10 days with both of my wrists in splints

(re spelling. a'a and such indicates a glottal stop between the vowels but no repetition of the vowel sound. e'a and such has a glottal stop and the enunciation of both vowels. a=ah, e=ay, i=ee, o=oh, u=you in pronunciation w=w sound, although some will try to say v, as in the German pronunciation of the letter)

More questions? Got more stuff. Poi, three fingers is too thin, one finger is too thick, two fingers is just right, but the stuff has to be eaten with something well seasoned, especially salted. Lots of gems like that. Twelve trips in the past 25 years, second only to 15 trips to WDW.

[MyRapunzal]

Originally Posted by dmpyron

I've been going to Hawai'i since before I was born (which technically makes me kahamani'a

The ferries to Lani and Molokai leave from Lahaina, about 10 minutes south of Ka'anapali. Warning: the morning ride over is usually pretty tame, but once the trades start blowing, the chop comes up very fast. For the same reason, if you are going to go snorkeling at Molokini (recommended) go out in the morning boat. Even better, drive down to Kihei and go out from there. The dive operator we go with leaves the boat ramp at around 6:45. AM! But on most day's we're back by noon or 1:30. Yeah, it's about an hour drive down (we stay in a condo, usually in the Kahana area a little bit further up the road) which means we leave at 5:30ish, but we are usually back in our room by around 3 or 3:30. If you're a diver, it's what's known as "asymptomatic DCI". If you're not, the main complaint is total exhaustion.

Suggestions for Maui: Ioa Needle, the "Road to Hana" (PM me for some hints on this), Hale'akala (maybe for sunrise if you do it your first day or two, before your clock has reset), some of the many artist communities (we like Makawao), the snorkeling at Molo (of course), a day in Lahaina (probably more), maybe a trip on the Atlantis submarine, a luau at Old Lahaina, a couple of hours at the Maui Ocean Center, if you're a computer geek, a trip to the Maui Supercomputing Center (not really, my Top Secret wasn't enough to get me in ), if you have the money (anywhere from $110 to $300 per person) for a helicopter tour.

When you land, grab all of the little booklets with names like "Maui Today" and "Maui Gold". These are "activities guides" and have many listings. But be prepared to be confused and overwhelmed. Almost every street corner has an "activities desk" with seemingly the same tour at different prices.

If you'll be there in May, be sure to check out the Festival of the Canoes. Crews from around the Pacific compete to build canoes (outriggers for the most part) from scratch and then race them. The best "build" is usually from Somoa.

What not to do. Bike ride down Hala'akela. I found out where Maui Memorial Medical Center is and that they see about three injuries a week and the ER nurse told me that there are probably twice that number that don't seek treatment. Wrecked my last trip, I spent 9 of our 10 days with both of my wrists in splints

(re spelling. a'a and such indicates a glottal stop between the vowels but no repetition of the vowel sound. e'a and such has a glottal stop and the enunciation of both vowels. a=ah, e=ay, i=ee, o=oh, u=you in pronunciation w=w sound, although some will try to say v, as in the German pronunciation of the letter)

More questions? Got more stuff. Poi, three fingers is too thin, one finger is too thick, two fingers is just right, but the stuff has to be eaten with something well seasoned, especially salted. Lots of gems like that. Twelve trips in the past 25 years, second only to 15 trips to WDW.

Thanks so much for all this info! Fabulous!
Esp the biking down Hale'akala since ALL the guides say to do it! (And I am not fond of biking so I am happy to do without... lol!)
I have to actually alter our anniversary plans for this summer (originally planning for Montreal but DH can only get the weekend off so we have to switch to somewhere closer) but I am going to keep this thread bookmarked now so I can PM you when I have time to start deciding where we want to stay and whatnot. Such great advice... Im so grateful!!!